WELCOME to all those who are fed up, foot-sore or far from home…

This is Homesick and Heatstruck, a blog about coping with my displaced (or misplaced?) existence.

For three years now I have lived in a noisy city in the middle of a desert, 4000 miles away from home. One might think that the pangs of homesickness would wane after a while, but one would be quite wrong. Having grown up in the lush green folds of the Kent countryside, it would be no exaggeration to say that I am finding it a bit tricky to adjust to life in the Middle East…

So, what does it really mean to be a Brit abroad? What are the things an exiled patriot misses most? This blog explores the rabid intensity of my homesickness and nostalgia, discussing critical issues such as the curative benefits of owning a cat, the cultural significance of murder mysteries, how important it is to be able to talk about the weather and why globalisation might be a good thing.

Welcome to Homesick and Heatstruck – the Britain we all know and love viewed through a journalistic long-lens.

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4 Comments

What are you doing in the Middle East? And how long will you be there? Do you enjoy the adventure, or is it all heartache? I’m from the States and lived in Taiwan for two years and Hong Kong for a year. At first the transition to Taiwan was very tough, but, eventually, I grew to love it. Now I want to go back! Congrats on being freshly pressed!

Hi Jessica and welcome to H&H! I’m working here as a teacher though we moved out with my husband’s work (he’s in publishing). Heaven knows how long we’ll be here… Another year or two maybe…? There are things about it that I love, and there are things I hate and there are days when I just miss home. But, one way or another, it’s certainly a great adventure. Hope you get to go back to Taiwan one day 🙂

Thank you! I do, too. I know what you mean about the good and bad. Someday, when you look back on these experiences, the worse parts of them will fade away, though. What kind of publishing work does your husband do? I loved teaching abroad but really wanted to get into publishing, which is why I am back in the States for the time being.

Anyway, not meaning to probe! Great article and congrats on being “pressed.” 🙂

Thanks Jessica,
He’s in international sales. Loads of things I love about teaching but think I need a break from it for a while. Later this year I’m taking a breather to focus on my writing for a while.
Best wishes to you and do come back again soon,
Lucy 🙂

Welcome!

Homesick and Heatstruck isn’t just the bewildered wittering of a British woman who inexplicably finds herself living in the Middle East (although it is that too), it’s also a ponderous blog about the nature of 'home' and being somewhere other. This is a pseudo-philosophical journal of my quest to thwart my sadness and silliness and embrace my new home... I hope you enjoy it. Please do leave a comment - and come back again soon.

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